Boston Flora

Tag: ELA

  • Wednesday, November 3, 12:00 noon – Blue Carbon: The Role of Estuaries in Combating Climate Change, Online

    Blue Carbon refers to the ability of certain coastal ecosystems – salt marshes, seagrass beds, and mangroves – to capture and store carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Coastal ecosystems are more efficient than upland forests at this process of carbon sequestration, but they tend to be smaller and in more densely populated areas. We have already lost many of our coastal ecosystems, and they remain under pressure from human development and from sea level rise. Recent interest in blue carbon is bringing new attention to the importance of maintaining healthy and thriving coastal wetlands, for all the benefits that they provide, including habitat for fisheries and migratory birds, flood protection, and climate mitigation. This Ecological Landscape Alliance online presentation on November 3 at noon will explain how carbon cycles through coastal systems, what makes these environments so efficient at carbon sequestration, and what measures can help to protect and restore coastal ecosystems. Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at www.ecolandscaping.org

    Speaker Hilary Stevens is the coastal resilience manager at Restore America’s Estuaries. She oversees the Blue Carbon and Living Shorelines programs. She is a geologist and environmental scientist with extensive experience in coastal resource management. Ms. Stevens has worked on coastal issues and climate change adaptation around the U.S. and globally, with an emphasis on using best-available science to address community needs and improve resource management. She has a particular affinity for island communities, stemming from her time working in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, and as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines. She holds a master’s degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University.

  • Friday, October 22, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm – A Holistic Guide for the Modern Land Steward Webinar

    Based on decades of landscape project experience, this online land care guide, cosponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance and the Native Plant Trust, will address regenerative design, green infrastructure, resilient landscapes, adaptive strategies, and building your own toolbox and rule book. You will reconnect with your land practices and their impact. Appropriate for both professional and personal development. The class is led by Trevor Smith and takes place on October 22 from 12:30 – 4:30 pm at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. $60 for ELA and NPT members, $72 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/holistic-guide-modern-land-steward/

  • Wednesday, October 20, 12:00 noon – Rewild in 10 Action Steps, Online

    Entomologist Douglas Tallamy identifies a minimum of 70% native plant biomass in our landscapes needed to safeguard wildlife habitat, support biodiversity, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Wild Seed Project recently launched an initiative that motivates people to meet this threshold through a holistic approach – it is called rewilding, and anyone can do it whether you have farmland, a yard in the suburbs, a hell strip in an urban neighborhood, or no land of your own.

    Anna Fialkoff, in this Ecological Landscape Alliance webinar on October 20 at noon, will walk you through what it means to rewild in 10 action steps. As the new program manager, Anna Fialkoff is ready to help Wild Seed Project further its educational programming, deepen relationships with partner organizations, and catalyze a movement to rewild Maine. Anna was most recently Senior Horticulturist at Native Plant Trust’s Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA, where she designed and installed native plant gardens, managed interns and volunteers, and taught the public ways to incorporate native plants in their own gardens. With a BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic and an MS in Ecological Design from The Conway School, she brings with her a deep knowledge of native plant ecology, horticulture, conservation, and ecological landscape design.

    Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/rewild-in-10-action-steps/

  • Wednesday, October 6, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Implications of Climate Change for Invasive Species Webinar

    Invasive species and climate change are two of the most prominent forms of anthropogenic global change identified by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Invasive species have pronounced negative impacts on ecosystems and economies, and these impacts may be exacerbated by climate change. But for most invasive species and invaded ecosystems, the outcomes of this interaction remain unknown. This Ecological Landscape Alliance online presentation on October 6 at noon Eastern will review the current state of knowledge about how climate change influences invasive species as well as describe the work of the Northeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change network that is bringing together researchers and practitioners to address this challenge.

    Carrie Brown-Lima is a Senior Extension Associate and the Director of the NY Invasive Species Research Institute at Cornell University. In this role, she works closely with research scientists, state and federal agencies, the NY Invasive Species Council and Advisory Committee, and regional stakeholders to promote innovation and improve the scientific basis of invasive species management. Carrie has over 20 year of experience working with natural resource conservation and management across ecosystems and borders. Prior to her position with the Research Institute, she spent 11 years promoting conservation strategies and partnerships in Brazil and throughout Latin America on diverse programs such as sustainable fisheries certifications, agriculture and conservation, and transboundary protected areas.

    Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-implications-of-climate-change-for-invasive-species/

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  • Wednesday, September 22, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Forest Bathing 101: Tapping Into Everyday Nature

    Join us for an interactive, meditative “stroll” guided by Judy Beaudette, who explains the history behind forest bathing (‘shinrin yoku’ in Japan), a research-based mindfulness practice that offers wellness through immersion in nature. Evidence-based research links forest bathing to powerful health benefits, including reduced blood pressure and stress levels, a stronger immune system, improved sleep, better cognition, and higher energy levels. You’ll have the chance to practice a few techniques and will leave with ways to weave forest bathing into your everyday life.

    A lifelong nature enthusiast, instructor Judy Beaudette tended her first garden at age 12 in Nebraska, then went on to create vegetable and perennial gardens on both the East and West Coasts.  Her interest in forest bathing emerged while serving on the board of Friends of North Creek Forest, a Seattle-area nonprofit that successfully preserved 64 acres of urban forest as a wilderness park in Bothell, WA. Since 2017, she’s been designing and leading forest bathing walks for groups and individuals within the greater Seattle area. 

    This webinar takes place September 22 at noon. Sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance, free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register HERE

  • Wednesday, September 15, 12:00 noon – Water Infiltration and Improved Soil Carbon Storage, Online

    Water infiltration replenishes groundwater and is a normal part of healthy hydrology. Also, undisturbed soils store carbon, and carbon depleted soils are less productive for food value and have less infiltration capacity.

    In the face of climate change and the move toward more resilient practices, both green infrastructure and regenerative agricultural practices offer the same effect: they improve the soil’s ability to infiltrate water and store carbon. In this Ecological Landscape Alliance presentation, Ann English will explore strategies for increasing the carbon storage capacity of soil, including adding biochar, for increasing both carbon and infiltration capacities. She will also look at techniques for restoring degraded and eroded lands through planting and mulching. The webinar will be held September 15 at noon Eastern time, and you may register at www.ecolandscaping.org (free for ELA members).

    Ann English, PLA, ASLA, LEED® AP BD+C is the RainScapes Program Manager for the Montgomery County, MD Department of Environmental Protection. Under her direction, the RainScapes program has developed its incentive program into a model that others have copied. The incentive program is based on three elements: clear technical guidance, diligent data management, and excellent customer service. The program has right sized its rebate structure and streamlined its application process and grown to greatly expand the amount of land converted to manage stormwater using RainScapes practices. A key component of RainScapes practices is the improvement of local site hydrology with a focus on native plants and improving infiltration capacity through planting and working with in situ soils to achieve runoff reduction goals. An ongoing effort is being made to evaluate practices as they relate to climate change, carbon storage, carbon footprint reduction. Ann is both a designer and teacher who has worked in the private, non-profit, and governmental sectors. She is passionate about plants, and how to design and evaluate plant performance in the environments in which they are planted

  • Wednesday, September 8, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Designing for Dry Stone Walling in the Landscape, Online

    Sustainable and regenerative construction approaches within today’s landscape have become more and more imperative, especially when considering climate and habitat. Traditional dry stone construction methods offer several advantages when used in sustainable landscape construction. Daniel Peterson, HabAdapt Landscape Design, will touch on the history as well as some of the methods involved in dry stone construction in this September 8 Ecological Landscape Alliance webinar. He will also discuss basic parameters for determining carbon footprint and other environmental implications when designing for dry stone walls. Free for ELA members. Register at www.ecolandscaping.org

    Daniel Peterson is a Minneapolis based landscape designer who focuses on ecologically sound, full service landscape design and installation. A majority of his projects involve restorative practices incorporating native plant communities, permaculture practices, water management, and dry stone construction. Daniel holds a level III, Advanced dry stone craftsman certification and dry stone teaching certification with the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain. Hel is also currently serving on the Board of Directors for The Stone Trust advocating for the recognition and advancement of the historic practice of Dry Stone construction. For more information about Daniel and HabAdapt Landscape Design please check his website habadapt.com or Instagram HabAdapt.

  • Wednesday, May 19, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Designing Naturalistic Landscapes and Water Features, Online

    Landscapes of any type offer an opportunity to get outside and commune with nature. Landscapes that mirror natural settings can be especially soothing, especially with the addition of moving water. Not only is the sound of trickling water soothing, but a water feature also adds an important habitat component to attract wildlife such as songbirds, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The trickle, bubble, and splash of water bring an additional layer of music to the landscape, offering relaxation and a sense of well being. In this Ecological Landscape Alliance online presentation on May 19 at noon, Randy Tumber, award-winning Canadian landscape designer, will share some of the tips, experiences, and philosophies that he has learned throughout his design career.

    With an emphasis on subtle, yet stunning, natural beauty, Randy’s expertise is in cultivating immersive environments that are emotionally engaging, visually attractive, and often include a water element. He specializes in the design and installation of mature, native landscapes that produce natural-looking water features using natural stone coupled with native habitat restoration.

    Randy Tumber, APLD, CLD, CHT, has been in the landscape design and build industry in the Toronto, Canada area for over 40 years. As the founder of Tumber & Associates, he established an award winning reputation for a natural approach to landscape design and a keen eye for detail in his implementation of these concepts.

    Randy’s work is accredited with over 100 national and international awards and countless feature magazine articles. These prestigious honors include two international Masters of Design awards, two Dunnington Grubb awards as the highest overall recognition for Ontario, and the Canadian National Landscape of the Year. In 2016 Randy sold this business to focus on another passion – training the next generation of artists in the global landscape industry.

    The webinar is free. To register, visit www.ecolandscaping.org.

  • Wednesday, May 12, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – The Journey of Edible Landscapes, Online

    Edible landscaping is the use of food-producing plants in the residential landscape. It can combine fruit and nut trees, berrying shrubs, vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, along with ornamental plants into aesthetically pleasing designs. These designs can adopt any garden style and may include anywhere from 1 to 100 percent edible specimens. A gardener can install an entirely edible landscape or incorporate some edible plants into existing gardens.

    But where did edible landscapes begin?

    This Ecological Landscape Alliance online presentation on May 12 at noon begins where agriculture began, the Zagros Mountain Range on the border of Iran and Iraq. From there it travels through the Middle East and Europe showing how we went from subsistence farming to aesthetic gardening in response to the rise of privilege. The remaining portion of the presentation covers edible plantings in a variety of settings such as within flower gardens, in garden islands, and in containers and closes with different annual and perennial plants commonly found in Edible Landscaping.

    Sven Pihl, founder of CT Edible Ecosystems, LLC is a Regenerative Land Planner/Designer and Permaculture educator formerly based in Connecticut. Sven designs multifunctional Edible Landscapes and Forest Gardens for homes, commercial properties, campuses and public spaces. He’s passionate about regenerative landscape design to create productive agro-ecosystems. His education ranges from local coursework to the University of Missouri’s Center for Agroforestry and Multifunction Carbon Sequestration Agroforestry at the Yale School of the Environment. He has worked on Permaculture and Agroforestry projects from New Jersey to New Hampshire.

    Sven currently works for the Savanna Institute as the Agroforestry Technical Service Provider for the state of Illinois and Indiana and is working to rebrand CT Edible Ecosystems into a national entity.

  • Wednesday, May 5, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Beauty and Biodiversity at Cornell’s Mundy Wildflower Garden, Online

    Please join Krissy Boys and the Ecological Landscape Alliance on May 5 at noon for a comprehensive virtual field trip of four discreet sustainable landscapes within the Mundy Wildflower Garden at the Cornell Botanic Gardens. This virtual field trip includes:

    • The specialist bee pollinator garden
    • The flood plain forest
    • The deer exclosure
    • The native lawn
    • The stream bank restoration

    The presentation will cover the principles of plant conservation and plant propagation, habitat gardening in full sun and in deep shade over limestone, as well as gravel gardening at the stream bank restoration site.

    We can easily and quickly create native plant displays that mature into prospering plant communities, filled with color, texture, and movement for us, while also providing habitat for wildlife. There are species in our midst that depend exclusively on common plants for their survival. The ingredients for success in gardening with them are attainable, and available to all, when we learn to read the landscape, apply what we learn, while keeping a few essential steps in mind as we go.
    Think positively and enjoy the process. Also make sure to use a systematic approach with these essential steps: source local gravel, reference a local plant community, obtain permission to collect seeds, and create a small-scale propagation area in your home or business.

    Read more about the Cornell restoration project in the ELA Newsletter article: Native Plants Shine in Streambank Restoration.

    Krissy Boys has been a professional gardener for nearly 31 years. Her gardening career began with native plants at the Brandywine Conservancy and Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA.  F.M. Mooberry, the founder of the Brandywine Garden and of the Millersville Plant Conference, was Krissy’s supervisor and mentor in native plant gardening. Krissy has been managing the Mundy Wildflower Garden at Cornell Botanic Gardens for 21 years. From 1992 -1999 Krissy looked after the Comstock Knoll Rhododendron Collection, the Pounder Heritage Vegetable Crops and the Poisonous Plants Garden. She volunteered as a land steward for the Finger Lakes Land Trust from 1992-2011 and has been a steering committee member of the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society since 1998.

    Free for ELA members, $10 nonmembers. Register at www.ecolandscaping.org